The morning sun broke over the Heavenly Dawn Academy, casting a warm glow across the sprawling training grounds. The air buzzed with anticipation; students and teachers scurried about, each weighed down by the unspoken tension of the coming exhibition. Word had spread quickly—this was no mere internal test. Esteemed masters from various sects were visiting today, keen to witness the Academy's methods and results. For Li Tian, it felt like a storm brewing on the horizon.
He stood before his students in the training yard, his expression calm but his gaze focused. Wuyang, Feng Shan, Yin Yue, and the others—all of them bore traces of nervous excitement. They'd been chosen to represent the Heavenly Dawn Academy's more "ordinary" disciples, placed alongside stronger Sky Division candidates. While some viewed this as an opportunity, others clearly feared potential humiliation.
Li Tian scanned their faces, measuring what words they needed most. "This isn't about being the strongest or the flashiest," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Today is about showing how far you've come… and how far you can still go. Forget about comparisons. Focus on yourselves. Trust in your training, trust in the guidance you've received." He paused, letting his words settle. "Most of all, trust in your potential—more than anyone else in that arena."
His students inhaled deeply, borrowing steadiness from their teacher's voice. Already, the Enlightenment System was active in Li Tian's mind, faintly analyzing each of his disciples. He observed their postures, their unsettled expressions, and the fluctuations in their qi. The System illuminated areas where each student faltered—anxiety, stray thoughts sabotaging focus, qi pathways clogged with doubt. To the untrained eye, there was nothing to fix, but with the System aiding him, Li Tian could see how to guide them further.
He stepped closer to Yin Yue, who stood apart, clutching her sword tightly. "Yin Yue," he said softly. She startled but quickly bowed. "Your fear of failure is creeping back, isn't it?"
Yin Yue lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. "I… I don't want to disappoint you, Teacher."
"You can't disappoint me." His tone was unwavering. "What matters is whether you push forward, whether you give yourself the chance to succeed. Fear is natural, but you must channel it. Face it."
The System fed him insight—her circulation was shaky, her confidence fraying at the edges. He crouched slightly, drawing a simple shape on the ground with his finger. "Visualize your energy as a flowing river. It doesn't matter how many rocks or obstructions there are; the water will find its way through. Breathe with it." Her gaze focused as she followed his instructions, her breathing aligning with her qi flow until the tremors in her movements stilled.
One by one, Li Tian adjusted his students, making subtle, tailored corrections with an uncanny precision that even surprised himself. The Enlightenment System buzzed with muted satisfaction, its influence sharpening his understanding further at each step. By the time the Academy bells rang to summon them to the exhibition arena, his students stood taller, their nerves smoothed by his guidance.
The arena itself was a grand space, its stone steps carved with ancient runes. Rows of spectators had already filled the seats—cultivators from prestigious sects, independent masters known for their martial prowess, and, of course, the Academy's own faculty. The exhibition stage gleamed under the sunlight, a platform that framed every move for the eager eyes of the crowd.
When Li Tian arrived with his students, subtle murmurs rippled through the audience. Some gazes lingered on them, curiosity battling skepticism. Most eyes, however, were drawn to the Sky Division disciples, who radiated raw confidence and strength. It was clear to many where the real competition would be.
The Dean of the Academy welcomed the guests, his words loud and graceful, emphasizing the role of teachers and their ability to foster cultivation across all levels. Though Li Tian remained outwardly calm, his heart beat just slightly faster as the Dean gestured toward him and his group, introducing them as representatives of the Academy's teaching philosophy.
The first matches began soon after. Sky Division students dominated their rounds, their swordplay fierce, their techniques flawless. When it came time for the Earth Division's turn, the murmurs of skepticism in the arena grew louder. Li Tian positioned himself near the makeshift boundary line, watching intently as Feng Shan stepped onto the stage for his match.
His opponent came from the Crimson Glade Manor, a sect known for aggressive and unyielding techniques. The match started with a clash of blades that sent sparks flying. Feng Shan gritted his teeth, clearly struggling to keep up with the speed and power raining down on him. His strikes became heavier, each step slower—a sign of his waning energy.
The System flickered in Li Tian's mind, highlighting the inefficiency in Feng Shan's movements. Li Tian called out, his voice calm but cutting through the din of the battle. "Feng Shan, you're building too much force in your legs. Shift your weight closer to your center! Redirect the energy."
Feng Shan faltered for a moment, but then adjusted. His stance tightened, his movements gaining fluidity. The audience stirred at the shift—they could see it too. Feng Shan began to evade with greater ease, his blade flowing like water against the brutal strikes of his opponent. He wasn't overpowering him, but he was surviving—and then, counterattacking. The crowd erupted into muted applause when he landed a clean strike that disarmed his opponent and forced a council elder to call the match in his favor.
Li Tian's lips curled faintly, satisfied. "One ripple…"
The later rounds brought greater challenges. Yin Yue was pitted against a disciple from the Azure Sun Pavilion, a sect infamous for their flashy but overwhelming techniques. Despite this, she held her ground, each move more controlled than the last, thanks to her newfound confidence. Yet, it wasn't enough—her opponent began outmaneuvering her, leaving her dangerously cornered near the edge of the platform.
Li Tian's brow furrowed in thought before his voice rang out. "Yin Yue, lower your center! Use the ground as your anchor. Don't meet their speed—interrupt it."
Her body moved on instinct, as though his words had become her own thoughts. Her stance shifted, her blade snapping free of its defensive position and finding a rare opening in the Azure Sun disciple's technique. The strike pushed her opponent back, forcing a startled stumble right off the platform's edge. The gasp from the crowd was audible; no one had anticipated this outcome.
Finally, the last match arrived. One of Li Tian's quieter students, Jie Ming, faced an overwhelming foe from the Verdant Blade Sect. The air was heavy with doubt; spectators whispered openly against the odds in Jie Ming's favor.
Li Tian stepped closer to the arena boundary, speaking softly but firmly. "Jie Ming, remember what we practiced. The blade is an extension, not a tool. Feel its edge as though it's part of your own body."
For the first time, Jie Ming fully entered the battle, not with strength, but by weaving his opponent's aggression into his own rhythm. Every slash he avoided seemed to guide the Verdant disciple into a trap of his own creation. By the time Jie Ming delivered a decisive blow to his opponent's shoulder, the shock in the arena was palpable.
The visiting masters murmured among themselves now, their attention fully drawn to the seemingly unremarkable teacher standing composed on the sidelines. What they had witnessed was no coincidence. One of them spoke at last, addressing the Dean with an unmistakable sense of intrigue. "This Teacher Li Tian," the master said, "may not be ordinary after all."
And so, the ripples of Li Tian's Teaching Dao continued to spread.